“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My father.” John 14:12
There has never been anyone like Christ for a multitude of reasons. But one of those reasons is the fact that no one has been able to put so much meaning, concerning things eternal and time, into such a short phrase, with the power and authority to bring it specifically, and completely to pass. We especially see this in the brief period leading up to the crucifixion of Christ, His resurrection, and ascension into heaven. As He approached the moment when He declared to the Father: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,” (Jn. 17:1) knowing full well what awaited Him in a very short while, He would not only speak of things to come concerning the disciples, but would pray for them in such a way as would bring to bear the Father’s power and blessing upon them, not only to endure at such a difficult time, but to provide for them a tremendous hope, and certainty, concerning the “promise of the Father, ” the gift of the Holy Spirit. In that gift, and at His coming, history would change, and the course of the world would be altered for time and eternity. That which would become evident after Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, would be the knowledge of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and what that cross truly meant. But the Father and Christ, by the Spirit, would take us further, for the crucifixion would deal with sins, self, Satan, and the world system. The resurrection would deal with the demonstration of a power over death, that would be imparted to every believer, not only by which to live on earth to honor and glorify God, but to continue into eternity, regardless of whether one lived or died. In the midst of all that would be occurring at this time, the monumental workings of God in the quietness of the tomb to raise Christ from the dead, to the enabling of Him to reveal Himself to more than five hundred believers at that time, there would come a moment, according to Jesus’ words, when He would ascend into heaven. With this visible ascension into heaven, would come the promise that Christ would come again in like manner. But there was another promise given to the disciples of Jesus’ day, one that would have its accomplishment perhaps at the moment when Christ would sit down at the right hand the Father. It would be, “…but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5) The Lord would add to these words, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (1:8)
The ascension of Christ, and the taking of His place at the right hand of the Father, would confirm, and bring about the outpouring of the Spirit. These events would open up wondrous opportunities, and assurances, concerning Christ’s work on the earth in “the last days,” before His second coming. Because of the Spirit’s outpouring, and every believer being placed into Christ, and Christ, into Him, into a blessed, indestructible union, the promises of God’s works in and through every believer became a reality. This is why Jesus would tell His disciples, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” With Christ in the heart by the Holy Spirit, the very works that He has prepared before the foundation of the world, can and will be accomplished in the individual life of the believer. Not only this, but the promise is clear, “greater works” than these will be accomplished. Christ’s ascension opened the door of blessing.
Dear Father, Fill us again today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.